Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 18 · 2026-09-19
IELTS Writing Task 1 question
The diagram below shows the floor plan of a public library 20 years ago and how it looks now.
Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant.
Central Library 20 years ago
Student answer (Band 5.5)
The following process indicates the apartement plan of a residents library 20 years before and how it looks nowadays.
Overall, the central library 20 years ago looking very simple in design and structure. There are only six areas including some space for tables and chairs and after some changes the library was looking well in structure as well as in design.
Twenty years ago, the central area of the library contained a large space with tables and chairs for reading. To the left of the entrance was a room dedicated to CDs, videos, and computer games, while to the right was a children’s book section. On the left wall, there was a dedicated area for all reference books, whereas the right wall housed adult non-fiction books. Opposite the entrance sat the enquiry desk for tickets and returns, positioned next to adult fiction books.
In the present day, the central tables and chairs have been removed to open up the main area. On the left side, the previous CD/video room has been converted into a modern computer room, and the former reference book section now serves as a café. Opposite the entrance, self-service machines and an information desk have replaced the old enquiry desk, alongside adult fiction books. On the right side, the adult non-fiction area has been updated to include all reference books. Finally, the children's section has been expanded into a larger area featuring sofas, storytelling spaces, and children's fiction books.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 6.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.5 |
| Overall | 5.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.0
The student attempts to describe the main features of the library floor plan comparing 20 years ago and today, but there are several factual inaccuracies regarding spatial layout and location labels compared to the prompt data. For instance, the student states that the former reference book section serves as a café on the left side, whereas the diagram shows the café is located in the bottom-right enclosed room. Similarly, the reference books and adult non-fiction sections are misattributed in both paragraphs. While an overall trend is attempted in the introduction, the body paragraphs contain contradictory and inaccurate mapping of features. This limits task fulfillment.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.0
The response is divided into logical paragraphs, beginning with an introduction, followed by a brief overall statement, and then separating the past and present descriptions. Cohesive devices such as 'Twenty years ago', 'In the present day', 'while', and 'whereas' are used to guide the reader through the text. However, referencing is occasionally confusing due to spatial inaccuracies in the content. Paragraphing is adequately managed, but the lack of accurate progression and clear logical links between spatial descriptions prevents a higher band score.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
The student attempts a range of vocabulary suitable for describing a map or floor plan, using words such as 'dedicated', 'enclosed', 'converted', and 'expanded'. However, there are notable lexical errors and imprecise word choices, such as 'apartement plan' instead of 'floor plan' or 'map', and 'residents library' instead of 'public library'. There are also minor spelling and collocation slips. While the vocabulary is minimally adequate to convey basic concepts about room transformations, inaccuracies in terminology restrict the score to a 5.5.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5
The response demonstrates a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, including relative clauses and prepositional phrases (e.g., 'To the left of the entrance was a room dedicated to CDs...'). However, there are noticeable grammatical errors and awkward phrasing, such as 'the central library 20 years ago looking very simple' (missing verb tense) and 'the library was looking well in structure'. Punctuation is generally acceptable, but frequent minor grammatical slips keep the writing within the Band 5.5 to 6.0 range.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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